Dannon to pay $21M, drop some yogurt health claims

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Dannon Co. Inc. has agreed pay $21 million and drop some health claims for its Activia yogurt and DanActive dairy drink under pressure from state and federal regulators.

The food company has claimed in its marketing its Activia yogurt helps relieve irregularity and that its DanActive drink helps people avoid catching colds or the flu.

The Federal Trade Commission says Wednesday there is not enough evidence to back those claims. It says it has reached a settlement with the company that prohibits it from making such claims unless they are approved by the FDA.

The attorneys general from 39 states also that they've reached a $21 million settlement with the food maker over the claims.